Departments: Consultants

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Department spent on  (a) management consultants and  (b) other external consultants and advisers in each year since 2000; and which of these consultants undertook work for the Department with a total contractual value in excess of £10 million over this period.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department was formed in May 2002. Details of expenditure by the Department on consultants from 2002-03 to 2006-07 are shown as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2002-03 227.5 
			 2003-04 239.5 
			 2004-05 193.3 
			 2005-06 72.1 
			 2006-07 81.2 
		
	
	Identifying which consultants undertook work for the Department with a total contractual value in excess of £10 million, could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Railways: Brighton

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements have been planned for the Brighton to London Victoria train line in 2007-08.

Tom Harris: The then Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Douglas Alexander) announced on 4 April 2007, the results of the recent consultation on the implementation of the Brighton Main Line (BML) Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS).The key decision is that, at the busiest times of day, the Gatwick Express will run beyond Gatwick to Brighton, doubling the number of express trains between Brighton and London Victoria in the high peak. This service change will take place in December 2008.

Post-mortems

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many post-mortem examinations were carried out  (a) in England and Wales and  (b) in each coroner's region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The information requested was been placed in the Library of the House, as per the answer I gave the hon. Member on 10 July 2007,  Official Report, column 1462W, on post-mortem examinations.

NHS

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the NHS hospital building and equipment budget; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: I have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues but, as was convention under previous governments, I will not disclose the specific details of such discussions. However, I can confirm
	NHS capital expenditure has grown by over 10 per cent. per year in real terms since 1997-98
	We have already replaced almost a third of the acute and general NHS estate since 1997
	By 2010, 111 new major hospital schemes will be open (worth £8.5 billion)

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of people who will claim tax credits as a result of the abolition of the 10 pence starting rate of income tax in the financial year 2008-09; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of people who will claim tax credits as a result of the abolition of the 10 pence starting rate of income tax in the financial year 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Members for Bournemouth, West (Sir John Butterfill), Blaby (Mr. Robathan) and East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) on the Floor of the House earlier today.

Pensions: Financial Assistance Scheme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average proportion of  (a) expected and  (b) core pension being received is for people who have begun to receive their full-entitled payments under the Financial Assistance Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As at 6 July 2007, 247 people are receiving annual payments which tops up the actual pension paid through an annuity from their pension scheme to at least 80 per cent. of their expected core pension subject to a cap of £12,000 per annum. A further 1,079 people are receiving initial payments at 60 per cent. of their expected core pension, which subject to Royal Assent of the current Pensions Bill will be increased to 80 per cent.

Children: Day Care

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent estimate is of the number of children in lower-income working families using formal childcare.

Beverley Hughes: The 2004-05 Childcare Survey showed that there were 614,000 children in lower income working families using formal childcare(1).
	By 2008, the Department aims to increase the number of children in lower-income working families using formal childcare by 120,000 children from the 2004-05 baseline. This forms part of the PSA target to 'Safeguard children and young people, improve their life outcomes and general well-being, and break cycles of deprivation' and will contribute to achieving this target by helping to reduce the proportion of children living in households where no one is working.
	The figures showing progress towards this target will be available in September 2007 when the results of the 2007 Childcare Survey will be published.
	(1) Childcare and Early Years Provision: A Study of Parents' Use, Views and Experiences, Research Report 723; DfES. Bryson, C., Kazimirski, A. and Southwood, H. (2006). This report is available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR723.pdf

Departments: Committees

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will list the European Community committees and working groups for which his Department will be responsible.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will have responsibility for the work of three formal Council working groups: Education Committee (jointly with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)), the Research and Atomic Questions working group and the ad hoc European Institute of Technology working group. In addition to formal Council working groups, there are also a number of advisory committees, which provide advice to the European Commission on policy matters and aid the Commission in the implementation of Community legislation. A list of the key committees for which DIUS has responsibility is attached at Annex A.
	 A nnex A :
	Key European Community committees, for which DIUS is responsible:
	Advisory Committee on Vocational Training;
	Committee of the integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning (jointly with DCSF);
	Youth in Action Committee (jointly with DCSF);
	TEMPUS Committee;
	Programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus);
	European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) Governing Board;
	European Training Foundation (ETF) Governing Board;
	Innovation Policy Advisory Board;
	Enterprise and Innovation Programme Management Committee for the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (jointly with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR));
	Horizontal Programme Committee for implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme (2007-13) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities;
	Programme Committee for the execution of the specific programme 'Co-operation', implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme (2007-13) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (jointly with BERR, the Department for Health, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport, and the Home Office);
	Programme Committee for the execution of the specific programme 'Capacities', implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme (2007-13) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities;
	Programme Committee for the execution of the specific programme 'People', implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme (2007-13) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities;
	Programme Committee for the execution of the specific programme 'Ideas', implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme (2007-13) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities;
	Consultative Committee for the execution of the specific programme implementing the 7(th) Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007-11);
	Board of Governors of the Joint Research Centre;
	European Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST).

Departments: Pay

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many bonuses were awarded to senior civil servants working at her Department and its agencies in each year between 1997 and 2006; and what the total cost of those bonuses was.

Iain Wright: The historical numbers of bonuses paid to senior civil servants and the cost of these are given in the following table. The data for 2003 to 2005 refers to our predecessor department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Data is only available for the five years shown in the table.
	
		
			   Number of bonuses  Cost of bonuses (£) 
			 2007 104 686,000 
			 2006 88 534,000 
			 2005 86 425,900 
			 2004 71 342,000 
			 2003 60 270,300 
		
	
	In Communities and Local Government, bonus payments are made to individuals whose contribution has a significant impact on the Department's performance across the year. Personal contribution is assessed against a range of factors that include:
	Achievement of the Department's Prime Objective which focuses on the way in which our leaders manage and develop our people;
	The degree to which business objectives have been met;
	Delivery for Ministers;
	Demonstration of judgment, leadership and PSG skills;
	Effective resource management

Government Offices for the Regions

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people work for each of the Government Offices of the Regions; and what the staff cost is of each in 2007-08.

Iain Wright: The number of permanent, fixed term and casual staff working for each Government office for the regions, including those temporarily away from the office on secondment, loan, maternity leave, career break and special leave without pay, in June 2007 was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 GO East of England 226 
			 GO East Midlands 229 
			 GO London 264 
			 GO North East 264 
			 GO North West 288 
			 GO South East 289 
			 GO South West 273 
			 GO West Midlands 260 
			 GO Yorkshire and the Humber 241 
			 Total 2,334 
		
	
	The estimated staffing costs for each Government office for 2007-08 are:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 GO East of England 8,85 
			 GO East Midlands 8.54 
			 GO London 11.99 
			 GO North East 9.60 
			 GO North West 12.58 
			 GO South East 11.69 
			 GO South West 10.51 
			 GO West Midlands 10.58 
			 GO Yorkshire and the Humber 9.41 
			 Total 93.75

Housing

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1354W, on housing, what proportion of the allocation to social housing in the Chelmsford local authority area was given to families and individuals who were resident outside the Chelmsford local authority area prior to an offer of housing being made  (a) in 2006-07 and  (b) so far in 2007-08;
	(2)  pursuant to the answers of  (a) 21 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1096W, on council housing transfers: Chelmsford and  (b) 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1354W, on housing, what the source was of the data collated for the answer provided in January that was not available for the answer provided in May; for what reason the data became unavailable between January and May 2007; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: holding answer 28 June 2007
	The information regarding the proportion of the allocation to social housing in the Chelmsford local authority arc given to families and individuals resident outside the Chelmsford local authority area is not collected centrally.
	The answer collated on 21 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1096W, on council housing transfers, was answered by Communities and Local Government and reflected the availability of information from centrally collected data.
	The answer collated on 19 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1354W, on housing, was answered by the Government Office for the East England, who contacted Chelmsford local authority directly for this information.

Supporting People Programme

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on the Supporting People programme in each year since its inception.

Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 July 2007,  Official Report, column I472W.

National Identity Register

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1512W, on the National Identity Register, how she plans to ensure that registrants do not register fictional or inadequate addresses.

Jacqui Smith: It is intended that the National Identity Scheme will make use of the postcode address file as a method of address validation. However, it will not be the only source of validation and section 9 of the Identity Cards Act will enable checks to be made against records held on other databases to ensure that the address at which the individual is genuinely resident is recorded. Section 28 of the Identity Card Act makes it a criminal offence to provide false information to the register, with a maximum term of imprisonment of two years available on conviction on indictment.

Animal Welfare: Trapping

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has held on the manufacturing, sale and use of animal snares; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The Government consider that where there is a need for wildlife management then the proper use of snares is one of a range of possible control methods. Used according to best practice, snares can be an effective and practical means of wildlife management (particularly for rabbits and foxes) and are needed where other forms of pest control are ineffective or impractical. In these circumstances snares restrain rather than kill and may prove to be more humane than other methods. The DEFRA snares action plan and the DEFRA code of good practice on the use of snares in fox and rabbit control in England can be found at:
	http://www.Defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/snares/index.htm
	Neither my predecessor, the then Minister for Biodiversity (Barry Gardiner) nor I, have held any recent discussions specifically on these issues. However, officials have occasional discussions with a wide range of stakeholders on the current policy on the use of snares.

Packaging: Wastes

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual total packaging use of each of the signatories to the Courtauld Commitment was in each year for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 9 July 2007
	Information on the annual total packaging use of each of the signatories is not routinely collected in the form requested.
	As obligated companies for the purposes of the Packaging Regulations, the signatories to the Courtauld Commitment submit data to the Environment Agency. However, as some signatories are companies, and others are brands, it is not possible to extract the data in the form requested. Additionally the data is commercially sensitive.

Colombia

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the government of Colombia on a negotiated peace settlement of that country's civil war; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what financial and other assistance was provided to the government of Colombia in each year since 2002 to tackle the illegal narcotics industry; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he and his officials have had with the governments of  (a) France,  (b) Spain,  (c) Switzerland and  (d) other EU partners on a negotiated peace settlement to Colombia's civil war;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with the government of Colombia on the proposed humanitarian exchange of political prisoners in Colombia;
	(5)  what discussions he has had with the government of Colombia on the protection of trade unionists in Colombia; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The longstanding conflict in Colombia, fuelled by the illegal drugs trade, has been deeply damaging. Significant progress has been made by President Uribe's government, and the Government have congratulated him on this. But serious concerns remain, especially on human rights.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is yet to hold discussions with Colombian counterparts since his appointment. But officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London and Bogota hold regular discussions with Colombian government officials, EU partners and civil society on the situation in Colombia.
	Such talks have focused recently on the need for a substantive peace settlement with full participation by all actors in the conflict; the unacceptable on-going abuses of trade unionists and human rights defenders; proposed humanitarian exchanges of political prisoners; and the recent murders of 11 hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
	My noble Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, held discussions with a range of senior Colombian and UK civil society figures on 26 June. Humanitarian exchanges of political prisoners and the situation for trade unionists in Colombia were prominent themes at this meeting. My noble Friend Lord Triesman issued a statement following the meeting, setting out the Government's views on these issues. The full text can be accessed on the FCO's website at:
	http://www.fco. gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=1182951887630.
	We have discussed with Colombian government representatives in London and Bogota the issues raised at the meeting of 26 June. In doing so, we expressed our outrage at the killings of the 11 Colombian hostages held by the FARC, and extended our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. The EU presidency also strongly condemned the killings and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by PARC and other illegal groups.
	The menace from drugs is real, both in Colombia and in the UK. Cooperation between the UK and Colombia has been very close and highly productive. We do not give details of our support because its disclosure would be to the detriment of the safety of the individuals, the prevention and detection of crime and international relations.

Iran: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has  (a) taken and  (b) plans to take at the United Nations about the statements made by the President of Iran on (i) the right of the State of Israel to exist and (ii) denial of the holocaust; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government have consistently condemned Iranian President Ahmadinejad's inflammatory comments about the state of Israel and his denial of the holocaust. We have made clear that these statements are wholly unacceptable, abhorrent and have no place in civilised political debate.
	In December 2006 the Iranian government hosted a conference, in the guise of an academic exercise, which attempted to cast doubt on whether the holocaust took place. President Ahmadinejad's comments at the event demonstrated that the intention was to undermine Israel's right to exist. My right hon. Friend the former Prime Minister (Mr. Blair) publicly condemned the conference in the strongest terms and I summoned the Iranian ambassador to express the UK's outrage at the event. On 26 January the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning without reservation any denial of the holocaust. The UK strongly supported this resolution. Iran was the only country that chose to disassociate itself from the consensus shared by all other UN members on this issue.
	President Ahmadinejad's approach towards Israel serves to undermine international confidence that Iran is willing to comply with its obligations and act as a respectable member of the international community. We continue to take such comments extremely seriously.

Care Homes: Finance

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many beds funded by his Department were provided in social services care homes in  (a) England and  (b) Shropshire in (i) 1997, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2005 and (iv) 2007;
	(2) how much his Department spent  (a) in total and  (b) per bed provided on social care home facilities in Shropshire in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07; and what spending has been forecast for 2007-08.

Ivan Lewis: The Department does not directly fund places in care homes, with the exception of people receiving continuing care, whose care is funded by the national health service. Information on the numbers of people receiving NHS funded continuing care and nursing care in England is only available from 2003 onwards. This is shown in the following tables. Separate figures for Shropshire are not available.
	
		
			  NHS-funded nursing care in England at 31 March 
			   Number 
			 2003 58,751 
			 2004 119,081 
			 2005 125,573 
			 2006 117,939 
			 2007 123,452 
		
	
	
		
			  C ontinuing care in England at 31 March 
			   Number 
			 2003 17,019 
			 2004 19,723 
			 2005 2,842 
			 2006 25,008 
			 2007 30,975 
		
	
	Care may be funded in a variety of ways. Depending on their financial circumstances, residents may pay for their own care, or be partly or wholly supported by local council social services, or organisations such as charities or previous employers. Local council social services pay for care using funding allocations they receive from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The following tables show the information for the number of supported residents aged 18 and over funded wholly or in part by local council social services and the gross expenditure for 1997, 2000, and 2005 in England and Shropshire.
	
		
			  N umber of adults supported in residential care in England and Shropshire in 1997, 2000, and 2005 
			  Rounded numbers 
			   1997  2000  2005( 2) 
			 England 241,900 267,500 266,200 
			 Shropshire(1) 2,300 2,500 2,300 
			  Of which:
			 Shropshire (remaining) — 1,600 1,600 
			 Telford and the Wrekin — 900 700 
			 (1 )From 2000 onwards, Shropshire council was split into Shropshire and Telford and the Wrekin. Figures have been provided on a consistent basis for comparison. (2 )The 2005 information includes clients formerly in receipt of preserved rights and Boyd loophole residents. 
		
	
	
		
			  Gross current expenditure spend on residential care for adults in England and Shropshire in 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2005-06 
			  £ thousands 
			   1997-98  2000-01  2005-06 
			 England 4,086,300 5,124,500 7,042,900 
			 Shropshire(1) 34,700 41,400 52,800 
			  Of which:
			 Shropshire (remaining) — 27,000 36,700 
			 Telford and the Wrekin — 14,400 16,200 
			 (1 )From 2000 onwards, Shropshire council was split into Shropshire and Telford and the Wrekin. Figures have been provided on a consistent basis for comparison. 
		
	
	The cost per person per week for adults staying in residential care during 2005-06 in Shropshire was £424.
	Information for 2006-07 and 2007-08 is not yet available and forecasts are not made.
	Information about the numbers of children in care homes is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Nutrition: Fruit and Vegetables

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research has been conducted into the health effects of drinking fruit juice  (a) made from concentrate and  (b) not made from concentrate; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what research has been conducted into the health effects of eating  (a) pre-packaged, pre-prepared fruit and  (b) fresh fruit; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what research has been conducted into the health effects of eating  (a) pre-packaged, pre-prepared salads and  (b) freshly made salads; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government's advice to increase fruit and vegetable consumption to five portions a day is based on a range of evidence that suggests high intakes may be beneficial in reducing the risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease.
	There is no evidence to suggest that there is a difference in the health benefits of fruit, fruit juice and salads prepared in the ways identified. All these sources of fruit and vegetables count towards achieving the 5 A-day recommendation, although fruit juice counts as a maximum of one portion a day, however much you consume.